“Did he return to the Pavilion after visiting her?”
“Oh yes. Around one, it was. No one can tell me exactly where he was atthattime.” Clement beamed in triumph. “And then he was off at three, heading for London. So he might have gutted the officer, sir.”
Mrs. Morgan remained skeptical. “No one knows exactly where the pair ofyouwere either. Find out what His Highness was up to in those hours, Clement. Once you knoweverything, Captain Lacey,thenmake your report. The Regent’s not the best of men, we know, but he is the sovereign these days and could make life very difficult for you if he chose.”
I knew I would have to tread carefully. But at least it gave me a direction.
“Thank you, Clement,” I said in sincerity. “You have done me a great service.”
Clement continued to be pleased with himself, but his mother was more practical. “That remains to be seen. And Clement is only doing his duty—which he should get back to.” She gave her son a pointed look. “I’m certain you don’t have leave to be away.”
“I do,” Clement said, aggrieved. “They let me out for air once in a while, Mum.”
“Be that as it may, it’s time you were back inside, before you get that livery dirty. I imagine I’d be expected to pay for it.”
Clement gave a long-suffering sigh, kissed his mother resignedly on the cheek, and ran off across the road, heading for the Pavilion.
“He’s a good lad,” I said.
“You do not have to humor me, Captain. I know he is.” Mrs. Morgan’s dark eyes sparkled. “I would not be one bit surprised if His Highness committed this deed and then fit you up for it, but it is a sticky situation. I too will ask questions of my most gossipy friends about Lady Hollingsworth and the prince’s comings and goings that night.” She gave me an approving look. “I like you, Captain. You have been kind to Clement, and I will not let you down.”
I bowed. “Thank you, dear lady.”
She fixed me with a steely gaze. “But if I find youhavedone bad things, and are using Clement to cover up for you, may God have mercy on your soul.”
Her words rang with the certainty of a high court judge’s.
I gave her another bow. “I’d deserve your wrath, madam. I would require God’s mercy, indeed.”
* * *
Brewster had remainedsilent during the exchange, but he made his feelings known as we turned toward home.
“You going to step up to His Highness and accuse him of stabbing the colonel? If so, I’m asking His Nibs to give you a different nanny.”
“Do not worry,” I said to soothe him. “I realize the futility of trying to question the Regent. However, Grenville might be able to find out exactly what happened that night.” I pondered. “I also ought to write Colonel Brandon about this business.”
“This is the colonel what got your knee broken?”
I nodded. “Brandon remembers Isherwood and all that happened in Salamanca. He was not best pleased with me about my part in it, but he might have ideas regarding who would want to kill Isherwood—besides me, I mean.”
Brewster looked skeptical. “Surprised you’re still alive, guv.”
“So am I, believe me.”
We hadn’t progressed far down Bedford Row when a man stepped out of a side lane to confront us.
He was the cavalry officer who’d stared at me at the inquest. I remembered, with sudden clarity, that I’d seen him the afternoon I’d begun inquiries about Isherwood’s murder. After I’d conversed with Bickley and Miss Farrow, I’d spied this man in the street. He’d studied me as though he’d speak to me but then had not.
The officer was a few years younger than I, and tall, his bearing straight. He wore the same regimental colors as young Isherwood and Major Forbes—blue coat with gold facings and gold braid. The jacket was trim, the trousers neat over his boots.
Brewster positioned himself watchfully next to the officer as the man gave me a perfunctory bow. “Captain Christopher Wilks, at your service.”
I held out my hand. “Captain Gabriel Lacey, at yours. Thirty-Fifth Light. You are in the Forty-Seventh?”
“Indeed.” Captain Wilks shook my hand. “I saw you at the inquest today.”
“And I you.”
